60% of Teachers at Japan’s Schools for Intellectually Disabled Have Dealt with Issues Related to Sex On SNS: Survey

From The Fukui Shimbun 

August 7 2024

AICHI – A survey conducted by Satoko Tsuda, associate professor at Chubu University, and her colleagues found that more than 60% of teachers in charge of student guidance at special-needs schools for children with intellectual disabilities have dealt with problems related to sex on social networking sites (SNS). Only about 30% of the respondents answered that they had provided literacy education on risks and other issues.

Associate Professor Tsuda explained, “There are many children who are unaware of sexual harm because they do not understand the intent of the other person’s words, or who cannot say no even if they feel uncomfortable. He says that preventive education that matches the characteristics of the disorder is necessary, and calls for “discussing the importance of private zones and rules for SNS use at school and at home, and confirming how to consult with others in case of trouble.

A total of 260 people responded to the survey, which asked student guidance staff at 400 randomly selected schools from March to May of this year. 260 people responded to a multiple-answer question about sex-related SNS problems they had experienced in the three years since FY2021.

A total of 167 students responded that they had dealt with problems. A total of 367 students responded. Half of the responses were related to the exchange of sexual photos and messages.